The Last Kingdom (TV series)
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| The Last Kingdom (TV series) | |
|---|---|
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| Show name | The Last Kingdom |
| Based on | Bernard Cornwell novels (The Saxon Stories) |
| Starring | Alexander Dreymon, David Dawson, Eliza Butterworth, Ian Hart, Adrian Bower, Timothy Innes, Harry Gilby, Arnas Fedaravicius, Tobias Santelmann, Ewan Mitchell, Ruby Hartley, Mark Rowley, Ian Hart |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Num episodes | 46 |
| Produced by | BBC, Netflix, Carnival Films |
| Original network | BBC Two, Netflix |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
The Last Kingdom (TV series) The Last Kingdom is a British historical drama television series adapted from Bernard Cornwell's historical novel series The Saxon Stories. Set during the 9th and 10th centuries, the narrative follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg amid conflicts involving Alfred the Great, the Vikings, and rival Anglo-Saxon kingdoms such as Wessex and Northumbria. The series blends historical figures and events with Cornwell's fictionalized protagonists to dramatize the unification of England.
Premise
The series centers on Uhtred, a dispossessed nobleman born to a Northumbrian family who is captured and raised by Danish invaders; his loyalties are tested among figures including Alfred the Great, King of Wessex; Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians; and Viking leaders like Guthrum and Haesten. Storylines interweave political alliances, battles such as engagements reflecting the Battle of Edington and campaigns against raids tied to the Great Heathen Army, with personal arcs involving kinship, fealty, and claims to Bebbanburg. The plot traces shifting power among kingdoms such as Mercia, East Anglia, Kent, and Northumbria against incursions by Norse leaders like Ivar the Boneless and socio-religious tensions involving figures like Pope Nicholas I in the background.
Cast and characters
The protagonist Uhtred is portrayed by Alexander Dreymon, with supporting roles including David Dawson as King Alfred, Eliza Butterworth as Aethelflaed, Ian Hart as Father Beocca, and Adrian Bower as Leofric. Recurring portrayals feature Tobias Santelmann as Kjartan, Ewan Mitchell as Aethelwold, Mark Rowley as Finan, Harry Gilby as young Uhtred, Ruby Hartley in childhood roles, and Timothy Innes as Edmund (son of Alfred). Antagonists and allies are depicted by actors playing Guthrum, Haesten, Aelfric, Eadric Streona, and rulers such as Edward the Elder and Athelstan. The ensemble includes portrayals of courtiers, warriors, clergy such as Asser, and nobles from royal houses like the dynasties of Wessex and Mercia.
Production
Adaptation rights were secured from author Bernard Cornwell and developed initially by BBC Two in collaboration with Carnival Films; later seasons were co-produced with Netflix. Showrunners and writers drew on Cornwell's novels for narrative arcs while consulting historians specializing in early medieval Britain, including scholars of Anglo-Saxon England and Viking Age studies. Filming locations spanned sites and sets intended to represent regions like Northumbria, Wessex, and Mercia using studios in the United Kingdom and on-location sequences in landscapes akin to the Yorkshire Dales and coastal areas resembling East Anglia. Technical departments employed costume design referencing garb from the era of Alfred the Great, weaponry influenced by finds such as those at Sutton Hoo (contextually related), and battle choreography informed by historical descriptions of shield walls and skirmishes similar to those recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Production faced scheduling changes amid broader industry shifts and streaming platform strategies involving Netflix commissioning final seasons following BBC broadcasts.
Episodes
The series comprises five principal series with episodes adapting volumes from The Saxon Stories, mapping novels such as The Last Kingdom (novel), The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord, The Empty Throne, Warriors of the Storm, The Flame Bearer, and War of the Wolf. Episodes vary in runtime and structure across seasons, culminating in a feature-length film concluding the adapted narrative that resolves Uhtred's claim to Bebbanburg and addresses outcomes for rulers like Edward the Elder and Æthelflæd. Story arcs include sieges, diplomatic marriages, betrayals such as those involving Eadric Streona, and campaigns echoing skirmishes across territories like East Anglia and Mercia.
Reception
Critics and audiences offered mixed-to-positive reviews, praising elements such as performances by Alexander Dreymon and portrayals of Alfred the Great, production design, and action choreography reminiscent of medieval warfare studies; some criticism targeted historical divergences from chronicles like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and novelistic condensation. The show gained popularity on Netflix's streaming charts, attracting viewers across markets including United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. It earned nominations and recognition in awards circuits for categories such as stunt coordination and costume design from organizations like the Royal Television Society and national guilds; fan communities organized around adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's works and reenactment groups inspired by depiction of Viking Age combat.
Historical accuracy and themes
The series blends documented events—such as campaigns associated with Alfred the Great and the treaty outcomes following engagements against the Great Heathen Army—with fictionalized personal drama centered on Uhtred. Historians note liberties in timelines, character amalgamations, and dramatized motives differing from primary sources like Asser's Life of King Alfred and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Thematically, the drama explores identity, loyalty, faith tensions between Christianity (via institutions such as monastic communities and clergy figures like Asser) and Norse paganism, the process of political consolidation leading toward what would become the kingdom under rulers like Edward the Elder and Æthelstan, and the cultural interchange across regions including Northumbria and Mercia.
Home media and streaming distribution
Initial broadcasts debuted on BBC Two with subsequent global streaming distribution on Netflix, which commissioned later seasons and the concluding film. Home media releases include DVD and Blu-ray compilations timed with season launches, distributed by companies working in markets including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Australia. Streaming availability varied by region on platforms like Netflix and licensing windows affected catalog presence in territories served by broadcasters and digital retailers.
Category:British television series Category:Historical drama television series Category:Television shows based on novels